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We All Need At Least One Inspiring Friend

Brenda Cyr —Photo Credit@ Shannon Bryan

One thing I have learned in trying something new, is that having friends along for the ride makes it much easier and fun. My inspiring friend has reminded me the importance of scheduling fun breaks in my calendar, even when my work week screams “No!”.

Think about this: in just 3 decades we have added multiple ways to connect people, such as computers, voicemail, internet, email, text, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter (to name a few); yet we have spent hardly any time on learning how to disconnect.

There’s a reason that we have those aha! moments in the shower. It’s one of the few places we can unplug.

You’ve heard the term, doing more with less? This is the environment most people are working in. People are stressed. For you employers, in addition to absenteeism, employee turnover, and productivity costs, stress negatively impacts hypertension, acid reflux, and diabetes – all major drivers of your health care costs.

Eighty percent, yes 8 out of 10 workers, are stressed in their jobs. Pay level has been listed as the #1 reason for stress until 2013. As of 2013, “work load” was referenced just as often, according to Huffington Post.

To continue adding work or hours to the work day is not sustainable.

So, how did we get here? My point is we are here. The question is how do we change? We need to put energy into adding short, mindful breaks back into the work day, just as we have invested in wellness programs. It matters to people and their health, and to the bottom line.

Taking a 10-15 minute break is one of the best things you can do for immediate stress relief. When you return, you will be more productive. Scientific evidence has supported this since the 1920s and that evidence keeps growing.

The only way to take a break is to do it. Find an inspiring friend, schedule a 10-minute break and do something fun. Play a quick game, listen to a couple of songs from a new band, or just be still. You will want to do it again; I promise. And you can.